Alaska Governor Sean Parnell on Friday directed Alaska's attorney
general and the Department of Law to review health care legislation
being considered by Congress. The governor has also requested
the commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services
and the director of state/federal relations to update the state's
previous policy analysis of pending health care legislation.

"Forcing citizens to purchase
health insurance is not only bad policy, it may raise serious
legal and constitutional issues," Governor Parnell said.
"I am also concerned over the federal government's imposition
of long-term and inequitable Medicaid burdens on the states and
the ambiguous treatment of the state's health insurance plan
for employees under federal legislation."

The State of Alaska has joined
a growing number of states in expressing concern about legal
and constitutional issues with the Senate bill, which is still
under consideration in Congress. The House and Senate will try
to resolve the differences between their respective bills when
Congress returns in January.

Governor Parnell previously
expressed concerns that the pending legislation will increase
costs for Alaska's seniors, families, small businesses and physicians'
practices, and place significant pressure on the state's general
fund budget.